The latest on arthritis: What we learned in 2018

From startsat60.com

Around 350 million people around the world are impacted by arthritis, a common condition that results in pain, discomfort and inflammation of the joints. Whether it’s osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or other conditions including gout, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, there’s currently no cure.

Still, there’s been plenty of research in 2018 about possible treatments and causes of the painful condition. Starts at 60 is looking back at some of the biggest developments research and science made when it comes to arthritis.

Menopause could worsen symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

A study of 8,189 women with rheumatoid arthritis published in the Journal of Rheumatology earlier this year found pre-menopausal women experience slower physical decline than women who are post-menopausal. As it is, women already experience this type of arthritis at a rate three times greater than men and researchers from Oxford University were keen to find out why.

Conducting an observational study, researchers discovered that menopause has a significant impact on the level and rate of functional decline in women with rheumatoid arthritis and is also associated with a worsening progression of the effects of the disease.

“Not only is this decline causing suffering for women, it is costly to both individuals and the healthcare system as a whole,” leader author Elizabeth Mollard said in a statement at the time.

Researchers believe this has something to do with hormonal levels, but further research is needed to determine why women with rheumatoid arthritis are more effected after menopause.

Bacteria in milk linked to rheumatoid arthritis

Researchers from the University of Central Florida discovered a strain of bacteria commonly found in beef and milk may be a trigger for developing rheumatoid arthritis in patients who are genetically at risk.
The bacteria, known as Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), can spread to humans if they consume infected milk, beef or even produce that was fertilised by cow manure. It had also previously been linked to Crohn’s disease – which shares the same genetic predispositions as rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers believe people with this specific genetic mutation who unintentionally consume MAP are at greatest risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

“We don’t know the cause of rheumatoid arthritis, so we’re excited that we have found this association,” lead author Shazia Beg said. “But there is still a long way to go. We need to find out why MAP is more predominant in these patients – whether it’s present because they have RA, or whether it caused RA in these patients.”

Diabetes linked to elevated risk of arthritis

A study involving more than 109,000 people presented at this year’s European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting in Berlin found patients with diabetes had 70 per cent higher chance of also living with rheumatoid arthritis.

Researchers analysed the links between musculoskeletal pain in patients with type 2 diabetes and found those with diabetes were 27 per cent more likely to report back pain and 29 per cent more likely to have shoulder and neck pain compared to those without diabetes.

It is thought the strong association between rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes is the result of chronic inflammation or steroid treatment.

New treatment targets cause rather than pain

Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) this year designed a new material that could improve treatment by administering drugs directly into the cartilage of those with osteoarthritis. The material can penetrate deep into the cartilage, allowing medication to enter bones that has the potential to heal damaged tissue, according to the study published in the Science Translational Medicine Journal.

Researchers said this is a new way of getting directly to the cells that experience the damage and treat them with therapeutics that could change their behaviour. Testing on rats, researchers were able to use the new material to deliver an experimental drug called insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) to prevent breakdown. Trials shows it was more effective than injecting the drug into the joint on its own without the material.

Researchers are now hopeful humans could also benefit from similar joint injections, although further trials are needed.

Yoghurt could prevent arthritis pain

Research published in The Journal of Nutrition found daily consumption of yoghurt has the potential to ease the pain associated with arthritis and that eating just one low-fat pot of the dairy product a day can calm chronic inflammation.

Participants in the study were given an 8oz (226.7g) tub of low-fat yoghurt before a 900-calorie breakfast of sausages, hash browns and muffins. It was found these participants had lower levels of inflammatory markers in their blood stream than those who didn’t eat a yoghurt before their meal.

Not only did the study find low-fat yoghurt can lessen inflammation, it could also be used as a safer alternative to aspirin, naproxen, hydrocortisone and other medications used to treat arthritis, asthma and an array of other health issues including inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.
It’s always important to talk about arthritis with your doctor and to discuss potential treatments before trying them.

https://startsat60.com/health/health-issues/arthritis/the-latest-on-arthritis-treatments-causes

Arthritis: New research reveals these four everyday foods could worsen the condition

From express.co.uk

ARTHRITIS is a lifelong condition, but making certain dietary changes can improve symptoms. New research into autoimmune conditions has shown four everyday foods could worsen arthritis and other health problems.

The research, conducted by food intolerance testing specialist YorkTest Laboratories, found autoimmune disorders can be affected by food such as milk, egg whites, wheat and rice.
An autoimmune disorder is one in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the body.
Some forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, are autoimmune disorders, as are certain skin conditions such as psoriasis.
In the study, 100 patients with autoimmune diseases were compared with 25 people without any autoimmunity.

Researchers said they could find a “clear” difference in food intolerance profiles, with sufferers displaying a much greater reaction to certain foods.
The findings have now prompted calls for food intolerance testing to become standard on the NHS for patients with autoimmune diseases.
“A food intolerance test is very important tool in patients with AI disease and should be performed in each patient to tailor an individual diet programme,” said Dr Francis Coucke, lead researcher of the study.
“If properly followed, this could relieve symptoms and probably stop or slow the progression of the autoimmune disease.”
“More research on great scale and multi centre around this topic is mandatory and urgent.”

                                Arthritis is an autoimmune condition (Image: Getty Images)

The findings back up a study conducted earlier this year by YorkTest Laboratories.
This study examined patients with arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis and a skin condition called urticaria.
Of the arthritis sufferers, 74 per cent of the 130 examined showed improvements in symptoms three months after changing their diet.
Of 51 people with multiple sclerosis, three-quarters reported improved symptoms, while 88 per cent of the 42 psoriasis patients noticed improvements.
Ten out of 11 Crohn’s disease sufferers saw improvements in symptoms, as did eight of 24 patients with fibromyalgia.

Seventy-six per cent of the 29 patients with urticaria also reported improvements.
“The immune system is constantly exposed to challenges from food ingested and the gut microbiota,” said scientific director Dr Gill Hart.
“If immune reactive compounds are similar in structure to those of the body's auto-antigens, the production of antibodies that react not only to foods, but also the body's own tissues could result.”
“A role for IgG-guided elimination dietary change in benefiting those with autoimmune conditions makes sense immunologically.”
“Our own data has shown that this approach could potentially benefit many suffering from autoimmune disorders. Sadly this approach is yet to be adopted into mainstream care, but it is something that is vitally important.”
YorkTest Laboratories’ findings were revealed during a presentation at the Institute for Functional Medicine’s Annual International Conference in Florida.

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1063121/arthritis-pain-symptoms-rheumatoid-arthritis-knee-milk-eggs-rice-wheat

All I Want for Christmas Is a Cure for Arthritis

By Eileen Davidson

I am grateful to live in one of the mildest parts of Canada when it comes to harsh winters. I do wish I didn’t feel those cold brisk days in my bones. I wish I could enjoy winter without extra pain. I wish rainy days didn’t make me feel so foggy and tired.

Winter months are a struggle with autoimmune arthritis. How I have come to almost fear the colder months. Please get your flu shot or stay in if you are sick. You can’t always tell who has a weakened immune system; a simple cold can affect us significantly.

For Christmas I wish I didn’t have limitations and adversity in life. I wish there was a cure for arthritis.

Sometimes, though, it is adversity that teaches you the true meaning of gratitude and support.

My grandmother passed away days after Christmas. I wish Christmas didn’t remind me of her passing and how my sense of family also died with her. I wish Christmas wasn’t the last time I saw my aunt who passed away the same week I was diagnosed with the same autoimmune form of arthritis.

I wish I could work and pay for my son’s Christmas presents. It wasn’t long ago where I could, but not since my diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis which landed me on the number one cause of long-term disability in Canada. His birthday is 12 days before Christmas which is added celebration as well as stress, cost and energy during the cold busy December. I am grateful to have my son to spoil during this month. He makes the cold evenings at home full of love, warmth and laughter. I am grateful my son at 5 years old was able to tell me he understood I can’t work because I am sick.

I wish I could be healthy and strong enough, financially stable enough to take him to all the Christmas events around the city. I too want to be amazed by the lights, scents and love Christmas can generate in the air. I can barely keep up with my own self-care routine with how busy this season gets. I am running on near empty. I wish my pain didn’t increase if I am not careful not to overdo it. I wish treating my disease wasn’t so expensive, others wouldn’t make comments on the price we are willing to pay for some relief or to just keep moving. I wish others understood the guilt that comes with being chronically ill.

I wish dating wasn’t so difficult as a chronically ill single mother. I wish men saw me for me, not that I have a disease. I wish I wasn’t alone this Christmas. I wish my invisible illness didn’t make me invisible to others. I wish it didn’t make me afraid to start anything because my fear of rejection.

I am thankful this year my father is in town visiting from China. He is approaching 70 and has more energy than me nearing 33. I am grateful for the help; I wish having company didn’t tend to trigger fatigue and I could keep up with my senior father. I wish I was used to being in pain with someone other than my son around. I wish pain didn’t make me feel this vulnerable and weak.

I am thankful those around me have adapted with me and know that when I ask for help, it is difficult for me to do so but it is the physical limitations I now live with, though invisible, that do require me to ask for help. I am grateful for my son’s father setting up the Christmas tree and lights; he knew that would be too physically demanding on me now, even though I have done it in the past. I wish my disease wasn’t progressive.

I am thankful for Amazon with their affordable toy prices and to-my-door delivery. Having debilitating chronic fatigue can make the Christmas rush even more difficult; I’ve learned to pace myself so I can get everything done and not toy too much with fatigue.

I am thankful for the Christmas Bureau, but not thankful for the people who ruin it for others. I wish there was more for us single disabled parents because we are a demographic who gets looked over quite often, even more so when your disability is invisible. I wish people weren’t so quick to judge me because I have tattoos; it’s not the reason I can’t work. It’s the debilitating autoimmune disease you can’t see inside me.

I wish my hands were strong enough to use the garlic press. I wish chopping vegetables didn’t make my wrists sore. I wish standing didn’t make my knees, hips and back ache. I wish looking down to concentrate on what I am doing didn’t make my neck sore. I wish I didn’t have difficulty lifting the turkey out of the oven.

I am thankful for pre-cut vegetables. I am thankful for my electric mixer. I am thankful for all pre-made options that don’t taste like garbage or are full of garbage. I am grateful for the foods that are also a medicine and don’t irritate my stomach or pain levels.

I wish there was a cure for arthritis. I wish others understood the disease, showed us more compassion and understanding. For now, I will just have to be grateful for what I have until that cure comes. I am grateful for those who have dedicated their time to research and finding treatments for those living with arthritis.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/want-christmas-cure-arthritis-235305592.html

Alternative Pain-Relief Options

By Richard Brody

In today's world, with the ever - expanding, opioid epidemic, doesn't it make sense, to consider, some, non - drug, options, to relieving, and/ or reducing pain, etc? While there are times, when pain medications, may be needed, and necessary, especially, when an accident, etc, creates an acute issue, there are many times, when using drugs/ narcotics, should only be a last - ditch effort, after alternatives have been explored. This holistic, and/ or wellness approach, is important to understand, and consider, so you might be able to enjoy a degree of relief, with a minimum of side - effects. With that in mind, this article will briefly consider, examine, review, and discuss, a few of the alternative approaches, which may be employed, safely.

1. Acupuncture: Acupuncture is an age - old, remedy, originally used in Asia, which has been successfully employed, for a wide variety, of ailments, etc. I was originally introduced, in the late 1970's, to this modality, when I observed, oral/ dental surgery, performed, without any anaesthesia, except for acupuncture. In the early 1980's, I had oral surgery, performed on me, and developed muscular - trisma, in my jaw, which the oral surgeon, could not reduce. Shortly, thereafter, when walking around New York's, Chinatown, I walked into the back of an herb - shop, and found an acupuncture, who in, under an hour, permanently, eliminated my discomfort, etc. More recently, because of my arthritis - related, pains and discomforts, I began using a local acupuncturist, who has successfully reduced, on a more temporary basis, some of my ailments, in mu shoulder, knee, and back, albeit on a shorter - term basis. However, these treatments significantly, help, for a shorter - period, and I receive treatments, which address these, every three weeks, or so.

2. Massage treatments: Professionally applied, massage therapy, helps many address chronic and/ or acute ailments, for many individuals. When one receives these from a licensed massage therapist, it often, relieves a lot of discomfort!

3. Topical ointments, etc: Many find considerable relief, suing certain herbal, etc, ointments and salves, such as using Turmeric, topical lidocaine, menthol, and other herbs. However, one should make certain, there is no underlying cause, which might need, more aggressive approaches!

4. CBD: CBD, or hemp oil, has been effectively used, both, topically, as well as internally, either via, gummies, vape treatments, or herbal oils, etc, have often been effectively, used, as an alternative treatment, for health relief.

Open your minds to the possibilities, and learn your pain-relieving options, to determine if any might help you, and avoid the need for pain medications. If drugs become the last, instead of first option, our overall health might benefit.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Alternative-Pain---Relief-Options&id=10051226

How to Help Kids with Juvenile Arthritis Navigate the Holidays

From juvenilearthritisnews.com

As all parents know, the holidays can be a hectic time of year. When you’re not shopping or decorating, you’re traveling to parties or Christmas pageants. The celebrations seem to be never-ending.
Kids with juvenile arthritis are no different from other kids when it comes to enjoying the holiday season. Like their peers, they look forward to holiday parties and winter concerts. They are excited about Santa’s visit and try to stay awake all night to hear the bells on his magic sleigh.
But the holidays are also a time kids with JA may overexert themselves. Unfortunately, schools often have major projects or tests due before the winter break. Kids who are part of a choir or appearing in holiday plays may have extra rehearsals leading up to performances. And, of course, they want to come along on last-minute shopping trips. All of these events are in addition to usual holiday activities such as parties, religious services, and traveling to visit family. It’s a lot for kids with chronic pain and fatigue to deal with.

My experience

I have a large extended family, which means many holiday parties. My first few Christmases were spent traveling and visiting, which was fun, but tiring. It was enjoyable to see family, but I would get extremely irritable from pain and fatigue. At 4, I slept until 8 a.m. on Christmas morning! I was so tired from visiting family the night before that I forgot Santa had come to visit. That’s when our holidays changed for the better.
Since then, my family has stayed home for Christmas. We attend a few select parties instead of traveling here, there, and everywhere. Our holidays are more relaxing and happier. As a child, I could enjoy the celebrations because I wasn’t in pain from rushing around.

When you can’t say ‘no’

If you have no option but to travel to visit friends and relatives over the holidays, please be mindful of your child with JA. If they’re cranky, they’re likely to be overly tired and in pain. Even teens might be moody from feeling unwell. Try to be patient with your child and work out a plan to make things easier. Perhaps you could bring a hot water bottle and cushions to help ease joint pain on long car rides. Or time pain medicine an hour or so before events so that it has time to kick in. You may even consider stopping for food between visits to make sure your child eats regularly and gets to rest.

The gift of less pain

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and fun. Kids with JA shouldn’t have to be in pain from rushing here and there. Taking the holidays slowly can help kids avoid flares and simply enjoy the celebrations. I can tell you it makes a world of difference to a child with chronic pain.

***

Note: Juvenile Arthritis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Juvenile Arthritis News or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to juvenile arthritis.

https://juvenilearthritisnews.com/2018/12/20/juvenile-arthritis-navigating-holidays-fatigue-pain/

Study shows massage helps ease arthritis pain, improve mobility

From medicalxpress.com

Patients with arthritis in their knees experienced significant improvement in pain and mobility after undergoing a weekly, whole-body massage for two months, according to a study led by researchers at Duke Health.

The finding, appearing online in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, suggests that massage could offer a safe and effective complement to the management of knee osteoarthritis, at least in the short term.
"Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability and affects more than 30 million people in America," said lead author Adam Perlman, M.D., program director of the Leadership Program in Integrative Healthcare at Duke University School of Medicine. "Medications are available, but many patients experience adverse side effects, raising the need for alternatives. This study demonstrates that massage has potential to be one such option."

Perlman and colleagues at four institutions enrolled approximately 200 patients with osteoarthritis in their knees. Patients were randomly divided into three groups: those who received a one-hour, weekly Swedish massage for eight weeks; those who received a light-touch control treatment; and those who received no extra care other than their usual regimen.
After eight weeks, each of the groups were again randomized to continue with massage or light-touch every other week, or to receive no treatment for the remainder of the study, which spanned 52 weeks.
Patients were assessed every two months using a standardized questionnaire called the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. The questionnaire measures pain, stiffness and functional limitations, including how well patients can climb stairs, stand up from sitting or lying down, bend, walk or get out of a car, among other activities.
At eight weeks, massage significantly improved patients' scores on the questionnaire compared to light-touch and usual care. Massage improved pain, stiffness, and physical function.

At 52 weeks, the twice-monthly massages maintained the improvements observed at eight weeks, but did not provide an additional benefit. There were no significant differences between the groups at 52 weeks.
"Massage therapy is one of the most popular complementary medicine interventions," Perlman said. "At a time when people are looking for effective non-medication options for pain, this study provides further evidence that massage has a potential role, at least for those suffering with osteoarthritis."

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-12-massage-ease-arthritis-pain-mobility.html

Ten high-risk things arthritis patients must avoid

From newsum.in

Arthritis is a body condition more prevalent than usually thought. Careful patient management is needed to keep the pain and swelling under check.

Arthritis is a body condition marked by inflammation of one or more joints. The patient may or may not experience pain. The condition can develop suddenly or gradually. There are different kinds of arthritis including the obvious ones like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis but medics club almost 200 different conditions under this grouping. General medical opinion is that a healthy lifestyle is the best way to keep their symptoms under check. Whatever the condition, patients and people with a family history of arthritis or related conditions must avoid or restrict the following things:

1. Caffeine

You like a morning cuppa that jumpstarts your day. And an evening fix that perks up your mental alertness? You need to be careful of excessive caffeine in the body. This dominant ingredient of coffee and many health and energy drinks can aggravate the symptoms.

2. Nightshade Plants
Vegetables belonging to the category of nightshade plants or solanaceae family produce solanine, which some research suggests can aggravate some arthritic symptoms. The vegetables include tomatoes, tomatillos, bell peppers, chilli peppers, and eggplants.

3. Vegetable types like cabbage and cauliflower

Cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli consumed in excess quantities are known to aggravate gout, which is a cause for arthritis.

4. Red meat

Doctors suggest avoiding red meat because of its correlation with cholesterol. They are also known to aggravate gout that is one of the reasons for arthritis.

5. Shell Fish

We do get a craving for seafood delicacies such as crab, prawn, shrimp, and oyster. But they have a negative impact on conditions that aggravate arthritis. So they are best avoided.

6. Alcohol
An excessive use of some alcoholic beverages can accelerate mineral deposits in joints causing gout-like conditions, which in turn aggravate arthritis.

7. Tobacco
Tobacco in any form is a big NO for people with arthritis. Tobacco products, even in moderate doses, aggravate joint inflammation, stiffness, and pain.

8. Excessive Salt
We can’t imagine tasting anything without salt; it seems like an absolute necessity. It also has vital physiological functions in the body and a drop in sodium can cause major health issues. However, an excess of salt over a long period will imperil your health. In fact, an average human consumes much more salt than necessary. We add salt to everything we eat and this adds up over a long time. The more processed food we eat, the more salt we consume. Excessive salt can increase the incidence of gout that can turn to arthritis in long run.

9. White Sugar

It is sweet but can kill all the same. The benefits of limiting the consumption of white sugar far outweigh the damage its excess intake can cause. It affects the body’s immunity in general and reduces bone density. It can also worsen the symptoms of arthritis.

10. Excessive physical exertion
While mild exercise is always good in toning up the body systems, arthritic persons should desist from excessive workouts. It will strain the joints and worsen the symptoms.

https://newsum.in/2018/12/03/ten-high-risk-things-arthritis-patients-must-avoid/

Five Health Conditions That Can Be Predicted By Your Hands

From 360nobs.com

Your hands have the ability to reveal a lot of things from finger length to grip strength, and they can even indicate risk factors for a number of surprising health conditions.

Grip strength reveals: Heart health
According to a new Lancet study of nearly 140,000 adults in 17 countries, a weak grip predicts a higher risk of heart attack or stroke and lower chances of survival. Grip strength was a better predictor of death than was blood pressure.
Researchers say grip strength is a marker of overall muscle strength and fitness, and they recommend strength training and aerobic exercise to reduce heart disease risk.

Sweaty palms reveal: Hyperhidrosis
Overly sweaty hands may be a symptom of menopause or thyroid conditions, as well as hyperhidrosis, in which overactive sweat glands cause far more perspiration than necessary.
A lot of people with this condition sweat from only one or two parts of the body, such as the armpits, palms, or feet. A doctor may prescribe a strong antiperspirant to decrease sweat production.

Finger length reveals: Arthritis risk
Women that have ring fingers that are longer than their index fingers, (which is a more common male trait), are twice as likely to have osteoarthritis in the knees, according to an Arthritis & Rheumatism study. Researchers believe low oestrogen levels may be a factor.
Furthermore, the same finger feature has been linked to higher athletic ability and verbal aggression in both genders. In men, a significantly longer ring finger (indicating an in-utero testosterone surge during the second trimester) is associated with having more children and better relationships with women, but a higher risk of prostate cancer.

Shaky hands reveal: Parkinson’s disease
Trembling hands could be the result of something as simple as too much caffeine or a side effect of certain medications like asthma drugs and antidepressants.
However, it is a good idea to see a doctor if you realise that your shaking hands reoccurs. A tremor in just one hand can be a first symptom of Parkinson’s disease, or it can indicate essential tremor, a disorder that causes uncontrollable shaking and is treatable with therapy or medication.

Nail colour reveals: Kidney disease
When Indian researchers studied 100 patients with chronic kidney disease, they found that 36 percent had half-and-half nails, when the bottom of a nail is white and the top is brown.
A nail condition as this may be caused by an increased concentration of certain hormones and chronic anaemia, which are both traits of chronic kidney disease.
If you notice that half of your nail is dark and you also have vertical stripe beneath the nail bed, see a doctor immediately. This can be hidden melanoma, a skin cancer.

https://www.360nobs.com/2018/12/five-health-conditions-that-can-be-predicted-by-your-hands/

Lessons Learned From Living With Psoriatic Arthritis

From healthcentral.com
By Diane Talbert

Like many people, I was diagnosed first with psoriasis and then psoriatic arthritis. The diseases go hand in hand. My biggest challenge over the years was finding a doctor that believed I had psoriatic arthritis and that I wasn’t being a hypochondriac for 25 years. I have worked diligently with my doctors to understand my psoriatic arthritis and find out what works for me. Knowledge is power. If I had known now what I knew 25 years ago things would have turn out so much differently for me. Here are nine lessons I’ve learned.

You don’t have to suffer in silence

The biggest lesson I have learned is that you don’t have to suffer in silence. I used to feel like I was the only person who was going through this, but I learned that we are not alone. I have met so many people over the years that lived with this disease. They have given me the courage to move on. You need to stop blaming yourself for your disease; there was nothing you could do to stop it. I ran a support group for years. This was one of the most rewarding things that I could have done for myself. I got to share my pain with people who were like me.

Learn to recognize change

When the swelling began in my fingers and toes I knew this would be a life-changing thing for me. I had to find the best doctors and listen to them. Cold packs became my best friend to help for pain and swelling. You can also use heat. Remember that life teaches us lessons over and over again until we get it right. Let’s try to improve things in our life if possible.

You can help others

Helping others has been one of the most rewarding things for me to do. I have tried to make it my mission to not miss meetings or events because of pain. This doesn’t work always, but I try. I believe I have a journey to complete, to learn new things and have a great time doing it. I volunteer as much as possible, even if it’s just visiting nursing homes, which is very rewarding to me. I love to see our elderly smile — just because.

Ask for help

Asking for help was a hard one for me. I thought I could conquer the world alone, but when you get so much pain in your body that you can’t walk, you need someone to help you. Don’t think you’re weak for asking. We are all reluctant to ask for help. We should all ask for help more often. If you don’t ask for help, people will assume that you are ok. There are times you will need help from family and friends.

Find a good doctor

I have been seeing doctors my whole life but it took me 25 years to get diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. If in your heart you know something is wrong, find a good doctor. Ask lots of questions. Only you have the knowledge about your unique condition. The right doctor will listen to what you have to say and incorporate that information into your treatment.

You are not weak

Having this disease does not make you weak. We are just as strong as everyone else. We just have more pain to deal with. There are days I can’t open a jar or walk up a flight of stairs, but that doesn’t stop me from trying. Make the distinction between being weak and being ill. Even in your illness, you are strong.

Know your body

You can have signs of psoriatic arthritis everywhere, inside and out. I started out with the scaly rashes and the pitting in the nails very early in life. I didn’t get the sausage fingers until later. I started having joint and pain at age 25. It was many years later before it attacked my spine and I started having stiffness. My worst pain now is my shoulders and knees that keep me from doing what I must do. Medications have help a lot. Pay attention to these signs. Know your body.

Practice self-care

Having this disease makes you very fatigued and tired. I have learned that I must practice self-care and treat myself gently. Drinking plenty of water and eating well are two things that help me a great deal. I also try to get some exercise, even of it’s a few minutes a day. Don’t try and do everything by yourself. Ask for help. Get plenty of rest and follow your doctor’s orders.

Be your own advocate

Be your number one advocate. Explain to people that you do get tired easily, so there are some things you might not feel like doing right now. Explain that saying no has nothing to do with them. If I talk too much about my disease, I apologize. I just want to be a part of the cure and offer suggestions. Remember, anyone can get it, not just older people. Being your own advocate means going the extra mile to get the right treatment. See a rheumatologist to get the proper diagnosis. He will look for swelling, pain, do X-rays, MRIs to check for joint damage. Ask lots of questions.

https://www.healthcentral.com/slideshow/lessons-learned-from-living-with-psoriatic-arthritis